have significant breathing difficulties, such as long periods of breathlessness or choking, shallow breathing, periods where breathing stops, or dusky, blue skin

develop signs of serious complications of whooping cough, such as fits (seizures) or pneumonia

Treatment for whooping cough

Treatment for whooping cough depends on your age and how long you've had the infection.

Children under six months who are very ill and people with severe symptoms will usually be admitted to hospital for treatment.

People diagnosed during the first three weeks of infection may be prescribed antibiotics to take at home – these will help stop the infection spreading to others, but may not reduce the symptoms.

People who've had whooping cough for more than three weeks won't normally need any specific treatment, as they're no longer contagious and antibiotics are unlikely to help.

While you're recovering at home, it can help to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, clean away mucus and sick from your or your child's mouth, and take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for a fever.

Avoid using cough medicines, as they're not suitable for young children and are unlikely to be of much help.

Stopping the infection spreading

If you or your child are taking antibiotics for whooping cough, you need to be careful not to spread the infection to others.

Stay away from nursery, school or work until 48 hours from the start of antibiotic treatment or three weeks after the coughing bouts started (whichever is sooner).

Cover your or your child's mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing.

Dispose of used tissues immediately.

Wash your and your child's hands regularly with soap and water.

Other members of your household may also be given antibiotics and a dose of the whooping cough vaccine to stop them becoming infected.

Vaccinations for whooping cough

There are three routine vaccinations that can protect babies and children from whooping cough: